Imaging apparatus capable of detecting and displaying information with respect to an incline thereof

ABSTRACT

An imaging apparatus including an incline detection device configured to detect an incline of the imaging apparatus, an image display device configured to display an image based on the image information, an incline computation device configured to compute an incline information that corresponds to a magnitude of the incline, an information storage device configured to store the incline information that is computed by the incline computation device, and a display processing device configured to display the image and an incline guide display corresponding to the incline information upon a screen of the image display device. The display processing device is configured to change a display format of the incline guide display in accordance with the magnitude of the incline.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/939,291, filed Nov. 12, 2015, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/472,466, filed Aug. 29, 2014, which is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/307,020, filed Nov. 30, 2011,now U.S. Pat. No. 8,860,866, which is a divisional of U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/212,962, filed on Sep. 18, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.8,089,549, and is based on and claims priority from each of JapanesePatent Application No. 2007-243138, filed on Sep. 19, 2007 and JapanesePatent Application No. 2007-279727, filed on Oct. 27, 2007, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties. The entire disclosures of U.S. application Ser. Nos.14/939,291, 14/472,466, 13/307,020 and 12/212,962 are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and relates inparticular to an imaging apparatus that is capable of detecting anincline of the imaging apparatus, and of accurately displaying anincline guide image, which corresponds to an information of the inclinethereof, upon a screen of an image display device.

Description of the Related Art

In recent times, an advance in a miniaturization and a weight reductionwith respect to an imaging apparatus, such as a digital camera, hasallowed the imaging apparatus to be carried more portably, and used moreeasily, in a variety of locales than was heretofore possible. A functionof a digital camera has also been embedded into such a device as acellular phone.

Given that the miniaturization and the weight reduction that is acondition of an imaging apparatus that incorporates such a digitalcamera, and given that a possession of the imaging apparatus thereof ismaintained on a possessor's person, it is by no means guaranteed that aphotograph will be taken with such a digital camera being in a stabledirection. As a consequence of such a circumstance, an incline is likelyto occur within an image that is even harder to notice when the image isphotographed than under a more conventional circumstance thereof.

On the other hand, a circumstance may also arise wherein a photograph istaken by way of a deliberately inclined composition, as an actualphotographic technique of an imaging apparatus. In addition, acircumstance may also arise with respect to an imaging direction,wherein a composition is not limited to a horizontal direction, i.e., alandscape view, and a vertical direction, i.e., a portrait view, may beemployed as well.

In any such event, it is desirable for the imaging apparatus to comprisea function that makes a photographer aware of an incline of an image,such as by detecting an incline of the imaging apparatus when taking aphotograph, and displaying an angle of the incline thereof upon amonitor screen.

Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2004-343476 discloses animaging apparatus that detects an incline of a still image whenacquiring the still image, corrects the incline of the still image asnecessary by way of a post-processing by recording an information thatdenotes the incline thereof thus detected together with the still imageupon a recording medium, thereby accurately reflecting an intent of auser thereof, and facilitating a proper correction of an incline of aresult of the imaging by the imaging apparatus.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2007-174156discloses an imaging apparatus wherein is installed a photography modethat supports either a moving picture or a still picture, and only whena display of an incline is requested when in the still picturephotography mode, an incline guide display signal is generated from theincline information thus detected, the incline guide display signal thusgenerated is transmitted thereby to a display processing circuit, and anincline guide display is displayed upon a screen that displays an imagethus imaged by the imaging apparatus.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent No. 3,896,505 discloses an imagingapparatus that detects a direction of a camera by way of a directiondetection device that is installed into the camera, displays, upon ascreen that displays an image thus imaged by the imaging apparatus, ahorizontal baseline of the camera and an incline information thatchanges in a manner that is dependent upon a direction of the camera,simultaneously with the image thus imaged by the imaging apparatus, andfacilitates a correction of an incline of the camera by allowing thephotographer to compare the respective displays thereupon.

It is to be understood that a level, i.e., a container that contains agas bubble within a fluid body, and which may be installed using a hotshoe of an imaging apparatus that incorporates a digital camera, isavailable for sale in an appropriate market.

With respect to such an imaging apparatus as described herein, however,i.e., with respect to the imaging apparatus that is disclosed accordingto Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2004-343476, as an instancethereof, while a cylindrical display unit is employed with regard to adisplay screen thereof to display the incline thereof, an accuracy ofthe detection of the incline thereof is fixed, and thus, even if theaccuracy of the detection of the incline thereof were to be increased,it would not be possible to display a corresponding information thatwould result therefrom.

In addition, with regard to the respective imaging apparatus that isdisclosed according to Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.2007-174156 and Japanese Patent No. 3,896,505, a configuration isemployed therein whereby the user is made aware of the direction of theimaging apparatus by making the user aware of an incline of aphotographic image or a composite image, which, while useful in allowingthe photographer to intuitively ascertain the direction of the imagingapparatus thereof, does not allow displaying a magnitude of the inclineof the imaging apparatus with a high degree of accuracy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an imagingapparatus that is capable of implementing a user interface that improvesa usability thereof by separating focusing on an accuracy thereof versusimproving an ease of use thereof, according to a range wherein theaccuracy is demanded and a range wherein the accuracy is not demanded,in accordance with an incline of the imaging apparatus.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an imagingapparatus that is capable of allowing a user to ascertain with ease,intuitively as well as quantitatively, an incline guide display thatcorresponds to incline information of the imaging apparatus.

In order to achieve the above objects, an imaging apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging elementconfigured to convert an optical image to a digital image information,an imaging processing device configured to acquire an image informationby way of the imaging element, an incline detection device configured todetect an incline of the imaging apparatus, an image display deviceconfigured to display an image based on the image information, anincline computation device configured to compute an incline informationthat corresponds to a magnitude of the incline, in accordance with adetection data that is obtained by the incline detection device, aninformation storage device configured to store the incline informationthat is computed by the incline computation device, and a displayprocessing device configured to display the image and an incline guidedisplay corresponding to the incline information upon a screen of theimage display device. The display processing device is configured tochange a display format of the incline guide display in accordance withthe magnitude of the incline

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front external view of a digital camera whereto is appliedan imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a rear external view of the digital camera that is depictedfrontally in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a plan external view of the digital camera that is depictedfrontally in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a block diagram that conceptually depicts a systemconfiguration of the imaging apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are views showing a display state of a monitordisplay when an imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention returns from a state wherein an incline is appliedthereto to a state that is in a near vicinity of a zero degree incline.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are views showing a display state of the monitordisplay when the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention is inclined from the state wherein the incline isapplied thereto to a state that is in a near vicinity of a 90 degreeincline.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views showing a change in a display state of themonitor display when the imaging apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention achieves the incline from an initialinclined state to the state that is in the near vicinity of the 90degree incline.

FIG. 6 is an external rear view of a digital camera whereupon a displayformat of an incline guide display of a monitor display is depicted byan imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is an oblique external view of a digital camera whereupon adisplay format of a pitch angle of an incline guide display of a monitordisplay is depicted by an imaging apparatus according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an oblique external view of a digital camera whereupon adisplay format of a pitch angle of an incline guide display of a monitordisplay is depicted by an imaging apparatus according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an oblique external view of the digital camera whereupon thedisplay format of the incline guide display of the monitor display isdepicted by the imaging apparatus according to the fourth embodiment ofthe present invention, in a circumstance wherein the digital camerathereof is angled until a large pitch angle is achieved.

FIG. 10 is an oblique external view of a digital camera whereupon anincline guide display of both a roll angle and a pitch angle of amonitor display is depicted by an imaging apparatus according to aneighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an instance of an incline guide display of both a roll angleand a pitch angle of a monitor display with respect to an imagingapparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing another instance of the incline guide displayof both the roll angle and the pitch angle of the monitor display withrespect to the imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a display state of the incline guide displayof both the roll angle and the pitch angle of the monitor display withrespect to the imaging apparatus according to the ninth embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a display state of an incline guide display ofboth a roll angle and a pitch angle of a monitor display with respect toan imaging apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15A is an oblique external view of a digital camera whereupon adisplay format of an incline guide display of a monitor display in alandscape view circumstance is depicted by an imaging apparatusaccording to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a lateral external elevation view of the digital camera thatis depicted in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A is an oblique external view of the digital camera whereupon thedisplay format of the incline guide display of the monitor display inthe landscape view circumstance is depicted by the imaging apparatusaccording to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B is an oblique lateral external view of the digital camera thatis depicted in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is an oblique external view of the digital camera whereupon thedisplay format of the incline guide display of the monitor display inthe landscape view circumstance is depicted by the imaging apparatusaccording to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17B is an oblique lateral external view of the digital camera thatis depicted in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18A is an oblique external view of a digital camera whereupon adisplay format of an incline guide display of a monitor display in aportrait view circumstance is depicted by the imaging apparatusaccording to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18B is an oblique external top view of the digital camera that isdepicted in FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19A is an oblique external view of the digital camera whereupon thedisplay format of the incline guide display of the monitor display inthe portrait view circumstance is depicted by the imaging apparatusaccording to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19B is an oblique external top view of the digital camera that isdepicted in FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20A is an oblique external view of the digital camera whereupon thedisplay format of the incline guide display of the monitor display inthe portrait view circumstance is depicted by the imaging apparatusaccording to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20B is an oblique external top view of the digital camera that isdepicted in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B are views showing a change in a display state ofan incline guide display of a monitor display with respect to an imagingapparatus according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart that describes a control of the display state ofthe incline guide display of the monitor display with respect to theimaging apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Following is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of animaging apparatus according to the present invention, with reference tothe attached drawings.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C depict an embodiment wherein an imaging apparatusaccording to the present invention is applied, as an instance thereof,to a digital camera, and FIGS. 2A and 2B conceptually depict a systemconfiguration of an internal component of the imaging apparatus thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C, a release switch, i.e., a shutterrelease button, SW1, a mode dial switch SW2, and a first jog dial switchSW3 is located upon an upper surface of the digital camera. In addition,a strobe light emitting unit 1, a range finder unit 2, an opticalviewfinder 3, and a lens barrel unit 4 is installed upon a front surfaceof the digital camera. The lens barrel unit 4 incorporates aphotographic lens.

An LCD monitor 5, a second jog dial switch SW4, a zoom switch“telephoto” SW5, a zoom switch “wide” SW6, an “up” switch SW7, a “right”switch SW8, an “OK” switch SW9, a “left” switch S10, a “down/macro”switch SW11, a display switch SW12, a delete switch SW13, a menu switchSW14, and a power switch SW15, is installed upon a rear surface of thedigital camera, as is depicted in FIG. 1B. In addition, a battery cover6 is installed upon a lateral surface of the digital camera.

Each respective switch SW1 to SW15 is operated by a user, and configuresa console key unit of the digital camera. It is to be understood that anexternal view of the digital camera as the imaging apparatus accordingto the present invention is not necessarily restricted to the externalview thereof that is depicted in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C, and it would bepermissible for the digital camera as the imaging apparatus according tothe present invention to present an external view that differs from theexternal view thereof that is depicted in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1C.

A function of each respective component of the digital camera as theimaging apparatus, and an effect thereof, is a known and establishedfunction and effect thereof. A detailed description thereof will thus beomitted herein, and a description of the system configuration of theinternal component of the imaging apparatus thereof will be providedhereinafter, in accordance with FIGS. 2A and 2B, and with reference toFIG. 1A to FIG. 1C.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, a fixed imaging element, i.e., a charge-coupleddevice (CCD), 101 is an imaging element that is configured to employsuch as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS), as an instance thereof, in order tooptoelectrically convert an optical image. A front-end IC 102 as animaging processing device is configured as an integrated circuit (IC),comprising a correlated double sampling (CDS) unit 1021, which performsa correlated double sampling in order to eliminate an image noise, anautomatic gain control (AGC) unit 1022, which performs a gainadjustment, an analog-digital (A/D) conversion unit 1023, which performsan analog to digital conversion upon an image, and a timing signalgeneration unit (TG) 1024, which generates a drive timing signal. In thepresent circumstance, a vertical drive synchronization signal VD and ahorizontal drive synchronization signal HD are supplied to the TG 1024from a first CCD signal processing block 1041, and a drive timing signalis outputted from the TG 1024 to the CCD 101 and the front-end IC 102 inresponse to a signal that is outputted to the TG 1024 from a CPU block1043.

A digital still camera processor 104 (hereinafter “processor 104”)comprises the first CCD signal processing block 1041, which performs awhite balance setting and a gamma setting upon an outputted image thatis outputted thereto from the CCD 101 by way of the front-end IC 102,and which also supplies the vertical drive synchronization signal VD andthe horizontal drive synchronization signal HD to the TG 1024 of thefront-end IC 102, a second CCD signal processing block 1042, whichperforms, by way of a filtering process, a conversion of an image datato a brightness data and a color difference data, the central processingunit (CPU) block 1043, which controls an operation of each component ofthe apparatus, a local static random access memory (SRAM) 1044, which isfor temporarily saving such as a data that is necessary for a control tobe performed, a USB block 1045, which is for performing a USBcommunication between the imaging apparatus and an external device, suchas a personal computer (PC), a serial block 1046, which is forperforming a serial communication between the imaging apparatus and anexternal device, such as a PC, a JPEG codec block 1047, which performs aJPEG compression and decompression, a resize block 1048, which enlargesand reduces a size of the image data, by way of an interpolationprocess, a TV signal display block 1049, which converts the image datainto a video signal, in order to be displayed upon an external displaydevice, such as an LCD monitor or a television (TV) receiver, and amemory card controller block 10410, which performs a control of a memorycard, which is for recording the image data that is photographed withthe imaging apparatus. Each respective component is bidirectionallyconnected by way of a system bus.

In addition, a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) 103,which saves a RAW RGB image data, i.e., an RGB image data that is in astate whereupon only the white balance adjustment and the gammaadjustment have been performed, a YUV image data, i.e., an image datathat is in a state whereupon the brightness data conversion and thecolor difference data conversion have been performed, and a JPEG imagedata, i.e., an image data that is in a state of the JPEG compressionhaving been applied thereto, is positioned external to the processor104. The SDRAM 103 is connected to the processor 104 via a memorycontroller (not shown) and the system bus.

The SDRAM 103 temporarily saves the image data when each respective typeof process is performed by the processor 104 upon the image data. Theimage data thus saved is, as an instance thereof, such as the RAW RGBdata, which is in the state of having been loaded from the CCD 101 viathe front-end IC 102, and whereupon the white balance adjustment and thegamma adjustment have been performed by the first CCD signal processingblock 1041, the YUV data, which is in the state whereupon the brightnessdata conversion and the color difference data conversion have beenperformed by the second CCD signal processing block 1042, and the JPEGimage data whereupon the JPEG compression has been applied by the JPEGcodec 1047.

Furthermore, an internal memory 107, such as a RAM, i.e., an internalmemory that is for storing a photographic image data even when thememory card is not loaded into a memory card slot of the imagingapparatus, and a ROM (not shown) wherein is stored such as a controlprogram and a parameter, is installed external to the processor 104, andis also connected to the processor 104 by way of the system bus.

When the power switch SW15 of the digital camera is switched on, thecontrol program that is stored in the ROM is loaded into a main memory(not shown) of the processor 104, whereupon the processor 104 performsan operation control of upon each respective component of the imagingapparatus according to the control program thus loaded thereto, andcauses such as a control data and the parameter to be temporarily storedin such as the internal memory 107.

The lens barrel unit 4 comprises a lens barrel, which is formed from azoom optical assembly 41, which further comprises a zoom lens 41 a thattakes in an optical image of a photographic subject, a focus opticalassembly 42, which further comprises a focus lens 42 a, an aperture stopunit 43, which further comprises an aperture stop 43 a, and a mechanicalshutter unit 44, which further comprises a mechanical shutter 44 a. Itis to be understood that the zoom lens 41 a, the focus lens 42 a, andthe aperture stop 43 a configure a photographic optical assembly. Inaddition, an optical axis of the photographic optical assembly istreated as a Z-axis, and a plane that is orthogonal to the Z-axisthereof is treated as an X-Y plane.

The zoom optical assembly 41, the focus optical assembly 42, theaperture unit 43, and the mechanical shutter unit 44 are driven by azoom motor 41 b, a focus motor 42 b, an aperture stop motor 43 b, and amechanical shutter motor 44 b, respectively.

Each respective motor 41 b to 44 b of the lens barrel unit 4 is drivenby a motor driver 45, and the motor driver 45 is controlled by the CPUblock 1043 of the processor 104.

In addition, an optical image of a photographic subject is formed upon aphotosensitive surface of the CCD 101, which is the fixed imagingelement of the imaging apparatus, and which optoelectrically converts anoptical image that is obtained by way of each respective lens assemblyof the lens barrel unit 4, whereupon the CCD 101 converts the opticalimage, of the photographic subject that is formed thereupon into anelectrical image information, and outputs an image signal to thefront-end IC 102.

A signal control processing thereof is performed via the TG 1024 by wayof the VD (vertical drive synchronization)−HD (horizontal drivesynchronization) signal that is outputted from the first CCD signalprocessing block 1041 of the processor 104. The TG 1024 generates adrive timing signal in accordance with the VD-HD signal that is receivedthereby.

In order to perform the white balance adjustment and the gammaadjustment upon the outputted data that is obtained from the CCD 101 byway of the front-end IC 102, the processor 104 supplies the verticaldrive synchronization signal VD and the horizontal drive synchronizationsignal HD by way of the first CCD signal processing block 1041, andperforms the conversion upon the outputted data to the brightness dataand the color difference data by way of the filtering process by way ofthe second CCD signal processing block 1042.

In addition, the CPU block 1043 controls the operation of eachrespective component of the apparatus, and temporarily stores such asthe data that is necessary for the control thereof in the local SRAM1044. In addition, the processor 104 computes a data that denotes anincline of the imaging apparatus, in accordance with an angle data thatis transmitted from an acceleration sensor 111, and displays the inclineinformation thus computed, by way of an LCD driver 108, upon the LCDmonitor 5 (to be described in detail hereinafter).

The CPU block 1043 further causes the strobe light emitting unit 1 toemit a flash by controlling a strobe circuit 114. In addition, the CPUblock 1043 also controls the range finder unit 2.

The CPU block 1043 is connected to a sub-CPU 112 of the processor 104,and the sub-CPU 112 is connected to the console key unit that is formedfrom the operating switch SW1 to SW15. The console key unit, i.e., theoperating switch SW1 to SW15, is a console unit that is formed from akey switch group that the user operates. In addition, the sub-CPU 112 isa CPU that is built onto a single chip with a ROM and RAM, and as such,outputs an output signal of such as the console key unit, i.e., theoperating switch SW1 to SW15, to the CPU block 1043, as operatinginformation of the user.

The USB block 1045 performs the USB communication between the imagingapparatus and the external device, such as the personal computer (PC),by way of a USB connector (not shown). In addition, the serial block1046 is connected to an external device from a serial driver circuit(not shown), by way of a serial communication connector, such as anRS-232C connector, and performs a serial communication thereby. The TVsignal display block 1049 is connected to the LCD monitor 5 by way ofthe LCD driver 108, and is also connected to a video jack 110, which isa jack for connecting the camera to an external display device, such asa TV, by way of a video amp 109, which is an amp, i.e., an amplifier,for converting a video signal that is outputted from the TV signaldisplay block 1049 to an impedance of 75 ohms. The memory cardcontroller block 10410 is connected to a card connection site of thememory card slot (not shown). An Inter Integrated Circuit (I²C) block10411 is connected to the acceleration sensor 111, as an inclinedetection device.

The LCD driver 108 is a drive circuit, which both drives the LCD monitor5 and converts the video signal that is outputted from the TV signaldisplay block 1049 into the signal that is displayed upon the LCDmonitor 5. The LCD monitor 5 is a display device that is used as amonitor, and as such, has a purpose of monitoring a state of aphotographic subject prior to a photographing thereof, as well asverifying the photographic image that is taken thereof, and displayingan incline of the imaging apparatus (to be described hereinafter). TheLCD monitor 5 is employed to display the image data and the inclineinformation of the imaging apparatus that is recorded upon the memorycard or the internal memory 107.

The video amp 109 is an amplifier that is for converting the videosignal that is outputted from the TV signal display block 1049 to the 75ohm impedance, and the video jack 110 is a connecting jack forconnecting the imaging apparatus to an external display device such as aTV receiver.

The sub-CPU 112 is a CPU that is built onto a single chip with a ROM andRAM, and as such, outputs an output signal of such as the console keyunit, i.e., the operating switch SW1 to SW15, to the CPU block 1043, asoperating information of the user. The internal memory 107 is forstoring the image data that is photographed by the imaging apparatus.

The acceleration sensor 111, as the incline detection device, is builtinto a printed circuit board (PCB) that configures each respectivecomponent of the imaging apparatus, and as such, detects the X-axis andthe Y-axis data (X, Y) and a data of a temperature T, and transmits thedata thus detected to the I²C block 10411 of the processor 104. Theprocessor 104 uses, as an instance thereof, the CPU block 1043, tocompute an incline information such as a roll angle that is to bedisplayed through an incline computation device, in accordance with thedata that is passed to the processor 104 from the acceleration sensor111 by way of the I²C block 10411, to select a display image thatcorresponds to a size of a display scale of the roll angle thus computedthrough a display processing device, to composite an image of a mark Mthat symbolizes a location upon the display image that denotes the rollangle thus computed, and to display the image that is obtained by thecompositing described herein upon such as the LCD monitor 5, i.e., animage display device.

When treating an outputted data of a zero gravity instance of the X-axisdata and the Y-axis data (X, Y) as X0 and Y0, respectively, a roll angleθ with respect to the horizontal of the acceleration sensor 111 isdenoted by an equation (1), as follows:

θ [deg]=180/π*arctan {(Y−Y0)/(X−X0)}  (1)

In a similar manner thereto, another acceleration sensor 111, which isinstalled so as to be capable of detecting an incline of the imagingapparatus in a pitching direction, detects a pitch angle to be displayedand transmits a data thereof to the processor 104. The processor 104 iscapable of using, as an instance thereof, the CPU block 1043, to computean incline of the imaging apparatus, i.e., a pitch angle, that is to bedisplayed, i.e. an incline computation device, in accordance with thedata that is transmitted from the acceleration sensor 111, and ofoverlaying the pitch angle thus obtained upon the photographic image anddisplaying the image thus overlaid upon the LCD monitor 5. Note,however, that a function thereof that is described herein is optional,and thus, may be omitted. When installing the function thereof, however,it is desirable that a selection button also be installed, in order toallow the user to select an instruction that either only the roll angle,only the pitch angle, or both the roll angle and the pitch angle, bedisplayed.

When displaying the roll angle and/or the pitch angle upon the LCDmonitor 5, the processor 104 determines a magnitude of the roll angleand/or the pitch angle thus computed, and changes a gauge of a displayscale that displays the angle thereof in accordance with the magnitudeof the angle thus determined. The display scale thereof appends a markM, which is a simulated image of a bubble that is intended to representa bubble in a level, in a manner similar to an actual liquid-filledlevel, and the user recognizes the angle by looking at a scale marker onthe simulated scale thus displayed whereupon the mark M is located. As aconsequence thereof, the processor 104 composites the image of the markM that denotes the angle upon the display scale whereof the gauge hasbeen selected, and displays the image thus composited upon the LCDmonitor 5. In addition, it is presumed that the angle is recorded uponsuch as the internal memory 107.

When the roll angle that is derived by the equation (1), which does notdirectly denote the incline of the imaging apparatus, signifies that theimaging apparatus is in a state such as is depicted in FIG. 3A, or, putanother way, when the imaging apparatus is in a range of between ±fivedegrees and ±60 degrees from the horizontal thereof, it is possible forthe processor 104 to configure a display scale B1, which denotes theroll angle thereof, so as to be displayed in a state of a landscapedirection, i.e., in a direction that corresponds to a lengthwisedirection of the display screen of the imaging apparatus, upon thedisplay screen of the LCD monitor 5. On the other hand, if the rollangle in a left-right direction with respect to the horizontal of theimaging apparatus is within a prescribed narrow range, such as zerodegrees±five degrees thereof, a gauge of a display scale B2 isautomatically enlarged, such as is depicted in FIG. 3B, so as tofacilitate a visual measurement of the roll angle with a high degree ofaccuracy. In addition, it is further possible to configure the screendisplay to switch to a vertical state, i.e., a portrait direction, whenthe roll angle of the imaging apparatus exceeds ±60 degrees from thehorizontal, such as is depicted in FIG. 4B.

Furthermore, when the roll angle of the imaging apparatus enters aregion of 90 degrees±five degrees thereof, i.e., when the roll anglethereof approaches a vertical direction, the gauge of the display scaleB2 is made to expand, thus improving the accuracy thereof. Typically,when the imaging apparatus is significantly inclined either to the leftor the right from the horizontal, it is possible for the user torecognize that the imaging apparatus is inclined from the horizontaleven with little or no visual observation of the display scale B1.Presuming, however, that the user will want to verify accurately whetheror not the imaging apparatus is genuinely in a horizontal direction whenthe imaging apparatus is in a horizontal state that is considered to bea direction for photography, it is possible, with the imaging apparatusaccording to the embodiment, to enlarge the gauge of the display scaleB2 when the roll angle is close to the horizontal, i.e., within ±fivedegrees thereof, and thus, to allow ascertaining the location of themark M with a high degree of accuracy, thereby facilitating accuratelyfulfilling such a demand thereof on the part of the user as well.

It is to be understood that approaching the vertical as described hereinneed not necessarily be restricted to within ±five degrees of thehorizontal, and it would be permissible for the range thereof to bewithin ±four to seven degrees of the horizontal, as an instance thereof.

In addition, as depicted in FIG. 6, it is possible for the processor 104to configure the image display device such that only a single displayscale is displayed at all times, as well as to display a component ofthe display scale at a finely divided gauge when the roll angle is nearto the horizontal, i.e., a central component when the mark M is near acenter of the display scale, without displaying a scale marking of thedisplay scale B3 at an equal interval thereof, or put another way, notin a linear manner. It is also possible, when the roll angle is notclose to the horizontal, such as when the roll angle is between ±fivedegrees of zero degrees, and ±five degrees of 60 degrees from thehorizontal, for the processor 104 to configure the image display devicesuch that a nonlinear display is performed thereof, wherein thecomponent of the display scale wherein the mark M is located isdisplayed with a coarsely divided gauge.

It is thus possible to display the roll angle using only a singledisplay scale, avoiding a necessity for having to perform a switch ofthe display scale B3, and, moreover, to display the roll angle thereofwith a high angle of accuracy at such time when the accuracy thereof isrequired. As an instance thereof, it is possible to arbitrarily changethe gauge of the display scale in a nonlinear manner, such as bydisplaying a logarithm, or an exponent, of the roll angle when the rollangle is within ±one degree from the horizontal.

In addition, the display processing device is configured to display theimage and the incline guide display upon a screen of the image displaydevice, and it is possible for the display processing device that isincorporated within a portion of the processor 104 to be configured withrespect to the method of displaying the roll angle so as to change asampling quantity or an average process quantity of the accelerationsensor 111 when the roll angle is in the state of being close to thehorizontal, i.e., zero degrees±five degrees, as well as when the rollangle is in the state of not being close to the horizontal, i.e.,between ±five degrees of the horizontal and ±60 degrees of thehorizontal. Put another way, when the roll angle is in a regular statethat is not close to the horizontal, a sampling quantity and an averageprocessing quantity of the roll angle with regard to the accelerationsensor 111 is controlled so as to allow instantaneously displaying anapproximate incline of the imaging apparatus, thereby allowing thedisplay processing device to respond even in a circumstance wherein theincline of the imaging apparatus changes suddenly and dramatically. Onthe other hand, when the roll angle is close to the horizontal, i.e.,±five degrees of the horizontal, the sampling quantity and the averageprocessing quantity of the roll angle with regard to the accelerationsensor 111 is controlled so as to increase, and it is thus possible toconfigure the display processing device so as display a value of theincline thereof with a high degree of accuracy. In addition, it ispossible to configure the display processing device when in the regularstate and when in the horizontal state so as to change a speed at whichthe mark M moves along the display scale thereof. Put another way, it ispossible to assign a priority thereof to a rapid response on the part ofthe display processing device by increasing a response speed thereofwhen in the regular state, and to assign the priority thereof tosimplifying a process on the part of the user of aligning the imagingapparatus with the horizontal by retarding the response speed thereofwhen in the horizontal state.

In addition, when the pitch angle, i.e., an angle of an incline in ananteroposterior direction, is within a range of between ±five degreesand ±60 degrees of the horizontal, it is possible for the processor 104to configure the imaging processing device so as to display a displayscale B4 of the pitch angle, as depicted in FIG. 8, which includes awide scale thereof, in a vertical direction upon the display screen ofthe LCD monitor 5.

In addition, it is possible to configure the imaging processing devicesuch that, as the pitch angle approaches zero degrees, i.e., zerodegrees±five degrees, and as the pitch angle approaches the vertical,i.e., 90 degrees±five degrees, it is possible to read the gauge of thedisplay scale B4 so as to allow visually measuring the incline of theimaging apparatus with a high degree of accuracy, or put another way, toallow automatically enlarging the gauge and thereby performing a readingof the incline with a high degree of accuracy, such as per a displayscale B5 that is displayed in FIG. 7.

In addition, with respect to the method of displaying the pitch angle,when the pitch angle is in a state of approaching the vertical, i.e., is90 degrees±five degrees, and when the pitch angle is in a regular statethat is not close to the vertical, i.e., is between zero degrees±fivedegrees and zero degrees±30 degrees, it is possible for the processor104, i.e., the display processing device, to be configured so as tochange the sampling quantity or the average processing quantity of theacceleration sensor 111 thereupon. Put another way, when the pitch angleis in the regular state that is not close to the vertical, i.e., isbetween zero degrees±five degrees and zero degrees±30 degrees, thesampling quantity and the average processing quantity of the pitch anglewith regard to the acceleration sensor 111 is controlled so as to allowinstantaneously displaying an approximate incline of the imagingapparatus, thereby allowing the display processing device to respondeven in a circumstance wherein the incline of the imaging apparatuschanges suddenly and dramatically.

On the other hand, when the pitch angle is close to the vertical, i.e.,90 degrees±five degrees, the sampling quantity and the averageprocessing quantity of the pitch angle by the acceleration sensor 111 iscontrolled so as to increase, and it is thus possible to configure theprocessor 104 so as display a value of the incline thereof with a highdegree of accuracy. In addition, it is possible to configure the displayprocessing device, when in the regular state, i.e., a state wherein thepitch angle deviates from being close to the horizontal, and when in thestate of being close to the horizontal, so as to change a speed at whichthe mark M moves along the display scale thereof. Put another way, it ispossible to assign a priority to a rapid response on the part of thedisplay processing device by increasing a response speed thereof when inthe regular state, and to assign the priority to simplifying a processon the part of the user of bringing the imaging apparatus into analignment with the horizontal by retarding the response speed thereofwhen in the horizontal state.

Following is a description of a process of the processor 104 thataccomplishes the function of the display processing device whendisplaying a combined display of both the roll angle and the pitchangle.

When the roll angle is within zero degrees±60 degrees, it is possiblefor the processor 104 to configure the display processing device so asto display the roll angle thereof with both the display scale B1 and themark M in the landscape direction upon the display screen of the LCDmonitor 5, and to display the pitch angle with both the display scale B5and the mark M, such as is depicted in FIG. 10. In addition, when theroll angle exceeds zero degrees±60 degrees (not shown), it is possiblefor the processor 104 to configure the display processing device so asto switch the display of the roll angle from the horizontal directiondisplay scale to the vertical direction display scale, and to switch thedisplay of the pitch angle from the vertical direction display scale tothe horizontal direction display scale.

In addition, it is possible to configure the processor 104 such that acoloration of a display scale that displays a wide display gauge differsfrom a coloration of a display scale that displays a narrow displaygauge. As an instance thereof, a configuration is presumed that changesthe coloration of the display scale when the incline of the imagingapparatus grows significantly, i.e., when the roll angle and/or thepitch angle changes from the state of zero degrees±five degrees to thestate of zero degrees±60 degrees. In addition, a configuration ispresumed that also changes the coloration of the display scale when theincline of the imaging apparatus grows significantly, i.e., when theroll angle and/or the pitch angle changes from the state of 90degrees±five degrees to the state of 90 degrees±30 degrees. It is to beunderstood that it would be conceivable to perform a switch from adisplay scale in black to a display scale in red, as an instance of achange state of the coloration thereof.

Furthermore, it would be possible for the console surface of the imagingapparatus to be presumed to have a configuration that includes aselection button (not shown) that allows the user to select aninstruction to display only the roll angle, only the pitch angle, orboth the roll angle and the pitch angle, as the incline guide displaythereof.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 10 depict a display method that displays an incline withregard to the imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

Following is a description of a concrete display method that displaysthe incline with regard to the imaging apparatus according to a firstembodiment through an eighth embodiment, with reference to FIG. 3 toFIG. 9.

It is to be understood that a process according to each respectiveembodiment that is depicted hereinafter is primarily performed by suchas the acceleration sensor 111, the processor 104, and the LCD monitor5.

First Embodiment

According to a first embodiment, a configuration thereof is such that,when a roll angle that is derived by the equation (1) described hereinis in a range of between zero degrees±five degrees and zero degrees±60degrees, which is broadly considered to correspond to a landscapedirection of a screen of the imaging apparatus when a lengthwisedirection of the screen thereof is in a substantially horizontaldirection, then a display scale B1 that denotes the roll angle thereofis displayed in a location that is near to a lower end of a displayscreen of the LCD monitor 5 in a landscape direction with respect to thedisplay screen thereof, i.e., in a lengthwise direction of the imagingapparatus, such as is depicted in FIG. 3A. A gauge of the display scaleB1 is automatically enlarged so as to allow a visual measurement of theroll angle with a high degree of accuracy when the roll angle approachesa horizontal region, i.e., when the roll angle is within zerodegrees±five degrees, or put another way, when the roll angle reaches anear horizontal region. An interval of a gauge of a display scale B2that is depicted in FIG. 3B is larger than an interval of the gauge ofthe display scale B1 that is depicted in FIG. 3A, and thus, the gauge ofthe display scale B2 has a higher degree of accuracy than the gauge ofthe display scale B1. In addition, when the roll angle exceeds ±60degrees, which is broadly considered to correspond to a portraitdirection of the screen of the imaging apparatus when the lengthwisedirection of the screen thereof is in a substantially verticaldirection, the display is automatically switched to a portrait directionstate, such as the scale B1 as is depicted in FIG. 4B. Furthermore, whenthe roll angle is in a range of between 90 degrees±five degrees and 90degrees±30 degrees, a display scale B1 is displayed with a reducedgauge, such as is depicted in FIG. 5A, and in addition, when the rollangle is 90 degrees±five degrees, i.e., when the roll angle is close tothe vertical, a display scale B2 is displayed with the gauge thereinenlarged so as to enable the display scale B2 to show the roll anglethereof with a high degree of accuracy, such as is depicted in FIG. 5B.

Second Embodiment

According to a second embodiment, only a single display scale B3 isdisplayed as the display scale, such as is depicted in FIG. 6, and isconfigured so as not to display a gauge of the display scale B3 thusdisplayed in an equal linear spacing, and to display the scale rangethereof with a finely divided gauge when the roll angle is in the regionthat is close to the horizontal, and to display the scale thereof with acoarsely divided gauge when the roll angle is in the region that is notclose to the horizontal, i.e., when the roll angle is zero degrees±30degrees. Such a configuration thereof allows displaying the roll anglein a rational manner without switching the display scale. As an instanceof a display method thereof, it would be possible to arbitrarily changethe gauge of the display scale B3, by way of a method such as displayinga logarithm, or an exponent, of the roll angle when the roll angle iswithin ±one degree from the horizontal.

Third Embodiment

According to a third embodiment, while a method of displaying either theroll angle or a pitch angle is identical to the display method thereofaccording to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, theprocessor 104 is configured so as to change a sampling quantity or anaverage process quantity of the acceleration sensor 111 when either theroll angle or the pitch angle is in the state of being close to thehorizontal, i.e., zero degrees±five degrees, as well as when either theroll angle or the pitch angle is in the state of not being close to thehorizontal, i.e., between ±five degrees of the horizontal and ±60degrees of the horizontal. Put another way, when either the roll angleor the pitch angle is in a regular state that is not horizontal, theprocessor 104 is configured so as to reduce a sampling quantity and anaverage processing quantity of either the roll angle or the pitch anglewith regard to the acceleration sensor 111, in order to allowinstantaneously displaying an approximate incline of the imagingapparatus, whereas on the other hand, when either the roll angle or thepitch angle is in the horizontal state, the processor 104 is configuredso as to increase the sampling quantity and the average processingquantity of either the roll angle or the pitch angle with regard to theacceleration sensor 111, in order to allow displaying a value of theincline thereof with a high degree of accuracy. In addition, accordingto the embodiment, a configuration is possible when in the regular stateand when in the horizontal state so as to change a speed at which a markM moves along the display scale thereof, i.e., the display scale B1 andB2. In the regular state thereof, a response speed of the processor 104increases, facilitating a rapid response thereby, whereas, in thehorizontal state thereof, the response speed thereof decreases, allowinga user to align the imaging apparatus with the horizontal more easily.

Fourth Embodiment

According to a fourth embodiment, when the pitch angle is in a range ofbetween zero degrees±five degrees and zero degrees±60 degrees, a displayscale B4, with a wide gauge, i.e., a coarse gauge, of the pitch angle isdisplayed in a vertical direction upon the display screen of the LCDmonitor 5, such as is depicted in FIG. 9.

In addition, as the pitch angle approaches the horizontal, i.e., zerodegrees±five degrees, a display of a gauge of the display scale B4automatically enlarges in order to allow a visual measurement of theincline of the imaging apparatus with a high degree of accuracy, such asper a display scale B5 that is depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

Fifth Embodiment

According to a fifth embodiment, while a method of displaying the pitchangle is identical to the display method thereof according to the fourthembodiment, the display method thereof according to the fifth embodimentdiffers from the display method thereof according to the fourthembodiment in that the processor 104 is configured so as to change thesampling quantity or the average processing quantity of the accelerationsensor 111 when the pitch angle is in a state that is close to thevertical, i.e., 90 degrees±five degrees, as well as when the pitch angleis in a state that is not vertical, i.e., between 90 degrees±fivedegrees and 90 degrees±60 degrees. Put another way, when in the regularstate, the processor 104 is configured so as to reduce the samplingquantity and the average processing quantity of the pitch angle withregard to the acceleration sensor 111, in order to allow instantaneouslydisplaying the approximate incline of the imaging apparatus, whereas onthe other hand, when the pitch angle approaches the horizontal state,the processor 104 is configured so as to increase the sampling quantityand the average processing quantity of the pitch angle with regard tothe acceleration sensor 111, in order to allow displaying the value ofthe incline thereof with a high degree of accuracy. In addition,according to the embodiment, the processor 104 is configured so as tochange the speed at which the mark M moves along the display scalethereof, i.e., the display scale B1 and B2, when in the regular stateand when in the horizontal state. By configuring the processor 104thereby, the response speed of the processor 104 increases when in theregular state thereof, facilitating the rapid response thereby, whereasthe response speed thereof decreases in the horizontal state thereof,allowing the user to align the imaging apparatus with the horizontalmore easily.

Sixth Embodiment

Following is a description of a sixth embodiment that combines the rollangle and the pitch angle, with reference to FIG. 10.

According to the sixth embodiment, when the roll angle is within zerodegrees±five degrees, the roll angle thereof is displayed with thedisplay scale B2 in the horizontal state of the display screen of theLCD monitor 5, and the pitch angle thereof is displayed with the displayscale B5 in the vertical state of the display screen of the LCD monitorB5, such as is displayed in FIG. 10. In addition, when the roll angle ofthe imaging apparatus exceeds ±60 degrees from the horizontal (notshown), the display of the roll angle switches to the display scale inthe vertical state, and the display of the pitch angle switches to thedisplay scale in the horizontal state.

Seventh Embodiment

According to a seventh embodiment, it is presumed that a differentcoloration is applied respectively to a display scale that displays awide gauge of a display scale, and to a display scale that displays anarrow gauge of a display scale. As an instance thereof, the colorationof the display scale changes from black to red as the incline increaseswhen the roll angle and/or the pitch angle changes from the state ofzero degrees±five degrees to the state of zero degrees±60 degrees. Inaddition, the coloration of the display scale also changes when theincline grows significantly, i.e., when the roll angle and/or the pitchangle changes from the state of 90 degrees±five degrees to the state of90 degrees±30 degrees, from black to red, as an instance thereof. It isto be understood that the coloration of the display scale is not limitedto black and red, and a combination such as blue, green, or yellow wouldbe permissible as well.

Eighth Embodiment

According to an eighth embodiment, a console surface of the imagingapparatus includes a selection button (not shown) that allows the userto select an instruction to display only the roll angle, only the pitchangle, or both the roll angle and the pitch angle.

By operating the selection button as appropriate to a photographicsubject, the user will be able to perform a photography in an accuratemanner, thus improving a convenience of the imaging apparatus to theuser.

Ninth Embodiment

Following is a description of a ninth embodiment of the presentinvention, which is predicated upon employing an acceleration sensorcomprising three axes that are mutually orthogonal thereto as theacceleration sensor 111 with respect to the imaging apparatus describedherein to display both the roll angle and the pitch angle of the imagingapparatus.

Employing the acceleration sensor 111 thus comprising an output of thethree axes that are mutually orthogonal thereto in order to ascertain adirection wherein the acceleration sensor 111 is embedded into theimaging apparatus comprises analyzing an acceleration of gravity along adirection of each respective axis in order to derive a magnitude of theacceleration with respect to each respective axis, and it is possible toaccurately ascertain the incline of the imaging apparatus regardless ofthe direction as a consequence thereof.

In such a circumstance, when the imaging apparatus is positioned in thelandscape direction, such as is depicted in FIG. 10, a rotation about aZ-axis therein constitutes a roll direction, a rotation about an X-axistherein constitutes a pitch direction, and a rotation about a Y-axistherein constitutes a yaw direction. When a lengthwise dimension of theimaging apparatus is positioned close to the horizontal, theacceleration that the Y-axis detects is approximately equivalent to theacceleration of gravity, and a value thereof that the X-axis and theZ-axis detect approaches zero. It is thus possible to ascertain anoverall facing of the imaging apparatus by detecting which axis isprimarily detecting the acceleration of gravity.

An incline data that the acceleration sensor 111 detects is received bya CPU 1043 via an I²C block 10411, the primary detection axis of theacceleration of gravity and the magnitude of the incline is computed,either in hardware or in software, and a result thereof is displayedupon the display device of the imaging apparatus.

In such a circumstance, the roll angle and the pitch angle, whichsignify the incline in the roll direction and the pitch direction,respectively, is displayed upon the LCD monitor 5 of the imagingapparatus, such as is depicted in FIG. 11.

In the circumstance depicted in FIG. 11, a display state of an inclineguide G1 that denotes the roll angle is approximately identical to adisplay state of an incline guide G2 that denotes the pitch angle, agauge of the incline guide G2 that follows the lengthwise direction ofthe display screen denotes the incline of the roll direction, and agauge of the incline guide G2 that follows a non-lengthwise direction ofthe display screen denotes the incline of the pitch direction. When theimaging apparatus is inclined when a location of a square mark withrespect to each respective gauge thereof is near a center of the gaugethereof, such as is depicted in FIG. 11, i.e., when both the roll angleand the pitch angle is zero, a movement away from the center of thegauge thereof by the square mark thereupon signifies a degree of theincline thereof, i.e., that the roll angle and the pitch angle isincreasing in magnitude.

FIG. 12 describes a display instance when the imaging apparatus ispositioned in the portrait direction. According to the embodiment, whilethe display format of the incline guide display of the roll directionand the pitch direction that is depicted in FIG. 12 may appear to benearly identical to the circumstance that is depicted in FIG. 11, thecircumstance depicted in FIG. 12 differs from the circumstance depictedin FIG. 11 in that an incline guide display G3 that comprises the gaugeof the non-lengthwise direction of the display device denotes the rollangle that is the incline of the roll direction, and an incline guidedisplay G4 that comprises the gauge of the lengthwise direction of thedisplay device denotes the pitch angle that is the incline of the pitchdirection.

It becomes increasingly difficult, however, to differentiate between theroll direction and the pitch direction when the incline display of theroll direction and the pitch direction are interchanged as a consequenceof changing the direction of the imaging apparatus as described herein.In order to respond to such a circumstance, the incline guide display ofthe roll direction is given a display color that is different from adisplay color of the incline guide display of the pitch direction, suchas is depicted in FIG. 13, with a display color of a marker of anincline guide display Gr1 of the roll direction being red, as aninstance thereof, and a display color of a marker of an incline guidedisplay Gp1 of the pitch direction being blue, as an instance thereof.In such a circumstance, as an instance thereof, the red markerrepresents the incline guide display Gr1 of the roll direction, and theblue marker represents the incline guide display Gp1 of the pitchdirection, even if the facing of the imaging apparatus changes from thelandscape direction that is depicted in FIG. 13 to the portraitdirection. By thus assigning a different display color to the markersthereof, it is possible to intuitively comprehend a relation betweeneach respective incline guide gauge and the roll angle and the pitchangle, even when the horizontal direction and the vertical direction isinverted as described herein.

Tenth Embodiment

According to a tenth embodiment, the display format of the incline guidedisplay of the roll direction and the pitch direction is made to differfor a similar objective as the method according to the ninth embodiment,wherein a gauge of an incline guide display of the roll direction Gr2assumes a form wherein a maximum height at a center narrows to a low,and the height thereof widens to a higher point approaching either end,whereas a gauge of an incline guide display of the pitch direction Gp2assumes a form wherein a width thereof has a uniform dimension along alength thereof as an instance thereof, such as is depicted in FIG. 14.In such a circumstance, as an instance thereof, the incline guidewherein both ends are wider than the center is the incline guide displayof the roll direction Gr2, and the incline guide wherein the widththereof is uniform along the length thereof is the incline guide displayof the pitch direction Gp2, even when the direction of the imagingapparatus changes from the landscape direction as depicted in FIG. 14 tothe portrait direction. By thus differentiating between the displayformat of the gauge of the incline display thereof, it is possible tointuitively comprehend a relation between each respective incline guidegauge and the roll angle and the pitch angle, even when the horizontaland vertical direction is inverted as described herein.

It is to be understood that, according to the ninth embodiment and thetenth embodiment, an implementation would be possible with respect tothe configuration that is depicted in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A and 2B when adisplay of the incline guide display of the pitch direction is notabsolutely necessary, by installing a device that switches off theincline guide display of the pitch direction by way of a setting of aprogram thereof. Put another way, such as displaying a screen upon thedisplay device, such as the LCD monitor 5, that sets whether or not todisplay each respective gauge thereof, storing, in an EEPROM or a mainmemory, a result of performing a setting thereof, using such as aconsole button (not shown), and performing the display in accordancewith a content of the setting thereof that is called when executing thedisplay, would be permissible herein.

Eleventh Embodiment

Following is a description of an eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention, which is predicated upon employing an acceleration sensorcomprising two axes that are mutually orthogonal thereto as theacceleration sensor 111 with respect to the imaging apparatus describedherein to display the incline guide display of the roll angle of theimaging apparatus only when the pitch angle of the imaging apparatusfalls within a prescribed range.

The acceleration sensor 111 is incorporated into a main printed circuitboard (PCB) wherein is incorporated such as the processor 104, or putanother way, the acceleration sensor 111 is incorporated vertically uponthe main circuit board with respect to the imaging apparatus. Theacceleration sensor thus built into the main circuit board outputs adata of two orthogonal axes, the X-axis and the Y-axis, as well as adata of a temperature T. The incline of the imaging apparatus iscomputed from the data thus outputted, and the incline guide displaythat corresponds to the incline thus computed is displayed upon such asthe LCD monitor 5.

A roll angle θ of the acceleration sensor 111 with respect to thehorizontal is derived with the equation (1) described herein, and apitch angle φ of the acceleration sensor 111 with respect to thehorizontal is derived with the equation (2), as follows:

φ [deg]=180/π*arctan(Gz/Gxy)

Gz=sqrt(Gxyz ² −Gxy ²)

Gxy=sqrt{(X−X0)²+(Y−Y0)²}  (2)

wherein “Gxyz” is an output value at 1G, and “X0” and “Y0” is an outputwhen a gravity thereof is zero, respectively.

The acceleration sensor 111 is incorporated vertically with respect tothe imaging apparatus. More concretely, as an instance thereof, theacceleration sensor 111 is incorporated vertically upon a rightmost anda lowermost component of the main circuit board as seen from a rearsurface of the imaging apparatus, although it is not essential that theacceleration sensor 111 necessarily be located thereupon. When the pitchangle is increased in such a state, the outputted value of the X-axisand the Y-axis that is outputted from the acceleration sensor 111gradually get smaller, and it becomes easier for the outputted valuethereof to be affected by a noise or an offset misalignment. Put anotherway, the greater the pitch angle, the lower the accuracy of the displaythe roll angle. Accordingly, when the pitch angle reaches a given anglein degrees, such as is depicted in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 toFIG. 20, an alert to a condition thereof is given by such as causing thedisplay to flicker, turning off the marker that is displayed upon thebar that denotes the angle thereupon, or sounding an alert sound, as aninstance thereof. FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 depict a state wherein the imagingapparatus is in the landscape direction. FIG. 15 depicts a state whereinthe imaging apparatus is close to plumb, FIG. 16 depicts a state whereina moderate pitch angle is applied to the imaging apparatus, and FIG. 17depicts a state wherein a large pitch angle is applied to the imagingapparatus and an incline guide display G of the roll angle flickers inorder to provide an alert of the large pitch angle thus applied thereto.FIG. 18 to FIG. 20 depict a state wherein the imaging apparatus is inthe portrait direction. FIG. 18 depicts a state wherein the imagingapparatus is close to plumb in the portrait direction, FIG. 19 depicts astate wherein a moderate pitch angle is applied to the imagingapparatus, and FIG. 20 depicts a state wherein a large pitch angle isapplied to the imaging apparatus and an incline guide display G of theroll angle flickers in order to provide an alert of the large pitchangle thus applied thereto.

Twelfth Embodiment

Following is a description of a twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention, which is predicated upon displaying the incline guide displayof the roll angle of the imaging apparatus only when the temperature ofthe imaging apparatus falls within a prescribed range.

The output value of the X-axis and the Y-axis of the acceleration sensor111 changes in accordance with a change in the temperature. As aninstance thereof, increasing the temperature causes the outputted valueof the X-axis and the Y-axis that is outputted from the accelerationsensor 111 to gradually get smaller, and it becomes easier for theoutputted value thereof to be affected by the noise the offsetmisalignment in such a circumstance. Accordingly, when the outputtedtemperature T of the acceleration sensor 111 reaches an outputted valueof a temperature that exceeds a defined range thereof, an alert to acondition thereof is given by such as causing the display that displayedeither the pitch angle or the roll angle theretofore to flicker, turningoff the marker M that is displayed upon the bar thereupon, or soundingan alert sound.

In such a circumstance as well as the circumstance according to theeleventh embodiment, the display state thereof would be practicallyidentical to the circumstance that is depicted in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, asan instance thereof.

Thirteenth Embodiment

Following is a description of a thirteenth embodiment of an imagingapparatus according to the present invention.

With respect to the imaging apparatus described herein, when the pitchangle is increased such that the imaging apparatus is in a state ofbeing laid face down, the X and the Y both go to zero-G, and thus, it isimpossible to compute the roll angle therefrom. The outputted value ofboth the X and the Y decline as the X and the Y approach the zero-Gstate, and thus, the accuracy thereof worsens. Accordingly, whenchanging a location of the display bar of the incline guide display G bythe angle of the imaging apparatus, such as is depicted in FIG. 21A andFIG. 21B, it is not possible to determine whether to position thelocation of the display bar of the incline guide display G along thelengthwise direction, such as is depicted in FIG. 21A, or along thenon-lengthwise direction, such as is depicted in FIG. 21B, when the Xand the Y approach the zero-G, for instance, less than to a thresholdvalue of 0.1 G. The display method thereof in such a circumstance isdenoted by a flowchart that is depicted in FIG. 22.

In step S11, a determination is made as to whether or not an outputtedvalue Xt=n and Yt=n, when t=n, is respectively less than 0.1 G, and ifboth Xt=n and Yt=n is not less than 0.1 G, then, in step S12, theoutputted value Xt=n and Yt=n is employed as is to calculate the angleθ, which is displayed upon the monitor in step S13.

If, however, the outputted value Xt=n and Yt=n is both less than 0.1 G,then, in step S14, a determination is made as to whether or not theoutputted value of the X and the Y is less than 0.1 G at a time mseconds prior to a present time, and if both the outputted value of theX and the Y is not less than 0.1 G at the time m seconds prior to thepresent time, then, in step S15, a determination of the angle θ is madefrom an outputted value Xt=n−m and Yt=n−m at the time m seconds prior tothe present time wherein the X and the Y is not less than 0.1 G,whereupon the process proceeds to step S13, wherein the angle θ thusdetermined is displayed upon the monitor. In such a circumstance, thelocation of the incline guide display bar is fixed until either of theoutputted value is greater than or equal to 0.1 G, thereby avoidingmaking the bar hard to view by avoiding changing the location of the barindiscriminately. A similar circumstance applies in a playback thereof,whereas, when rotating the display direction thereof by the angle of theimaging apparatus, it is not possible to determine which way to rotatethe image when the imaging apparatus is in the state of being laid facedown, the display direction thereof is changed by a process that issimilar to the process that is applied to the display bar of themonitoring. It is to be understood that, in a circumstance wherein theXt=n−m and the Yt=n−m must both be less than 0.1 G, regardless of thevalue of m, then, in step S16, an alert display is performed in a mannerthat is approximately identical to the form of the alert according tothe eleventh embodiment.

Fourteenth Embodiment

Following is a description of a fourteenth embodiment of an imagingapparatus according to the present invention.

In the circumstance wherein the alert display is performed, owing to thepitch angle being applied to the imaging apparatus, and the output valueof both the X and the Y being less than the threshold value, a necessityfor obtaining the high degree of accuracy is obviated, and thus, thesampling quantity is reduced, a processing load is prevented from beingplaced upon such as the processor 104, and a power consumption thereofis reduced.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imagingapparatus that is capable of implementing a user interface that improvesa usability thereof by separating focusing on an accuracy thereof versusimproving an ease of use thereof, according to a range wherein theaccuracy is demanded and a range wherein the accuracy is not demanded,in accordance with an incline of the imaging apparatus.

More specifically, it is possible, by way of the imaging apparatusaccording to the present invention, to provide a user-friendly userinterface by accurately changing a dynamic range of an incline guidedisplay in response to a magnitude of an angle of the incline of theimaging apparatus, by changing a display state of the incline guidedisplay in response to a magnitude of the incline thereof. As aninstance thereof, it would be possible for a user to ascertain the angleof the incline of the imaging apparatus with ease and accuracy withrespect to a range wherein the accuracy of the incline guide display isnecessary to the user, while allowing a general and rapid display of theincline guide display within a range wherein the accuracy thereof is notnecessary to the user.

By detecting, at least one roll angle or pitch angle of the imagingapparatus, the incline detection device is capable of detecting eitheror both of the roll angle and/or the pitch angle thereof when theimaging apparatus performs a rolling operation, i.e., an operation ofinclining to the left or the right, and/or a pitching operation, i.e.,an operation of inclining forward or backward, and is thus capable ofaccurately ascertaining the incline guide display that corresponds tothe roll angle and/or the pitch angle thus detected by changing thedynamic range thereof in accordance with the magnitude of the inclineangle thereof.

By selectively displaying the incline guide display that corresponds tothe incline information of either or both of the roll angle or the pitchangle, the display processing apparatus is capable of allowing the userto select at will whether to consider only the roll angle, only thepitch angle, or both the roll angle and the pitch angle, allowing theuser to treat the imaging apparatus as being extremely user-friendly.

The display processing apparatus is of ascertaining, clearly andaccurately, the roll angle and/or the pitch angle by way of the inclineguide display, by causing the incline guide display thereof to displaythe roll angle and/or the pitch angle with a different display range inaccordance with the magnitude of the roll angle and/or the pitch angle,as well as causing the incline guide thereof to be displayed thereuponwith a different display color thereof, respectively.

The incline display guide is formed from a display scale, which is, forexample, in a linear shape, and a marker thereupon, a display locationthereof moving along the display scale in accordance with the inclineangle. It is possible to easily and intuitively ascertain the roll angleand/or the pitch angle by way of the linearly shaped display scale andthe marker thereupon, the display location whereof moves along thedisplay scale in accordance with the incline angle, by way of thedisplay processing device displaying the display scale as a landscapestate and/or a portrait state thereof in alignment with an edge portionof a horizontal direction and/or a vertical direction of a displayscreen of the image display device.

When it is determined that the roll angle and/or the pitch angle iswithin a prescribed narrow range, and that the imaging apparatus is in asubstantially horizontal state, it is possible for the user toaccurately verify the degree of the horizontal upon a display scalewhereupon a range of the scale is enlarged, thus allowing the user toidentify the angle, in degrees, with a high degree of precision, when itis necessary to maintain the imaging apparatus in a maximally horizontaldirection.

When it is determined that the roll angle and/or the pitch angle iswithin a prescribed narrow range, and that the imaging apparatus is inthe substantially horizontal state, slowly changing a display updatingspeed of the incline guide display allows accelerating a response whenthe imaging apparatus inclines to a greater magnitude than a prescribedquantity by increasing a response speed thereof, and conversely, allowsthe user to align the imaging apparatus more easily with the horizontalwhen the imaging apparatus is close to a horizontal state by reducingthe response speed thereof.

When an incline angle obtained from the incline information is within arange close to zero degrees or close to 90 degrees, the inclinedetection device detects the incline of the imaging apparatus with anincreased sampling quantity or increasing the sampling quantity of thedetection data of the incline detection apparatus and performing theangle display with the high degree of precision increases the precisionwhen the imaging apparatus is in the state of being either close to thehorizontal or close to the vertical, and reducing the sampling quantityand the average processing quantity when the imaging apparatus is in thestate of being inclined greater than the prescribed quantity facilitatesinstantaneously ascertaining the approximate incline of the imagingapparatus.

An imaging apparatus, comprising an imaging element that converts anoptical image into a digital image information, an imaging processingdevice that acquires an image information by way of the imaging element,an incline detection device that detects an incline of the imagingapparatus, an image display device that displays an image that is thusimaged thereby, an incline computation device that computes an inclineinformation that corresponds to a magnitude of the incline thusdetected, in accordance with a detection data that is obtained by theincline detection device, an information storage device that stores theincline information that is computed by the incline computation device,and a display processing device that composites an incline guidedisplay, which corresponds to the incline information thus computed andstored, upon a screen of the image display device, and that displays thedisplay thus composited together with the image that is imaged by theimaging apparatus, allows a user reading the angle with a high degree ofprecision when the imaging apparatus is either close to the horizontalor close to the vertical, wherein the high degree of precision isrequired of the display scale, and is capable of a general display wheneither the roll angle or the pitch angle is not required, by the displayscale of the incline guide display that corresponds to the inclineinformation that is displayed by the display processing device being anonlinear scale. A need to switch between a plurality of the inclineguide display is thus eliminated, allowing the configuration of theimaging apparatus to be simplified, and a cost thereof to be kept undercontrol.

The incline guide display is formed from a display scale, which is in alinear shape, and a marker thereupon, a display location thereof movingalong the display scale in accordance with the incline angle. It ispossible to easily and intuitively ascertain the roll angle and/or thepitch angle by way of the linearly shaped display scale and the markerthereupon, the display location whereof moves along the display scale inaccordance with the incline angle, by way of the display processingdevice displaying the display scale as a landscape state and/or aportrait state thereof in alignment with an edge portion of a horizontaldirection and/or a vertical direction of a display screen of the imagedisplay device.

When it is determined that the roll angle and/or the pitch angle iswithin a prescribed narrow range, and that the imaging apparatus is inthe substantially horizontal state, slowly changing a display changespeed of the incline guide display allows accelerating a response whenthe imaging apparatus inclines to a greater magnitude than a prescribedquantity by increasing a response speed thereof, and conversely, allowsthe user to align the imaging apparatus more easily with the horizontalwhen the imaging apparatus is close to a horizontal state by reducingthe response speed thereof.

When the roll angle and/or the pitch angle is within a range of beingclose to zero degrees and/or close to 90 degrees, increasing thesampling quantity of the detection data of the incline detectionapparatus and performing the angle display with the high degree ofprecision increases the precision when the imaging apparatus is in thestate of being either close to the horizontal or close to the vertical,and reducing the sampling quantity when the imaging apparatus is in thestate of being inclined greater than the prescribed quantity facilitatesinstantaneously ascertaining the approximate incline of the imagingapparatus.

Using a logarithm for the display scale of the incline guide displayallows closely reading the angle when the angle or roll or the pitchangle is extremely close to zero degrees, such as within ±one degree ofzero degrees, i.e., a minute range, whereas when the angle or roll orthe pitch angle is greater than ±one degree of zero degrees, thelogarithmic scale allows generally reading the angle within a widerrange thereof, thereby allowing performing the display of the roll anglein a rational manner.

Using an exponent for the display scale of the incline guide displayallows closely reading the angle when the angle or roll or the pitchangle is extremely close to zero degrees, such as within ±one degree ofzero degrees, i.e., a minute range, whereas when the angle or roll orthe pitch angle is greater than ±one degree of zero degrees, theexponential scale allows generally reading the angle within a widerrange thereof, thereby allowing performing the display of the roll anglein a rational manner.

By changing the display location indicating the incline in the inclineguide display is changed in accordance with the incline of the imagingapparatus, the incline guide display is capable of changing the displayscale to a maximally viewable location when the imaging apparatus is inthe horizontal direction, as well as in the vertical direction or closethereto, thus allowing improving the usability thereof.

It is possible for the incline detection device, by being theacceleration sensor, to detect the incline angle with a high degree ofresponsiveness and precision with respect to the incline of the imagingapparatus.

The incline detection device includes a device that detects an inclinethat includes the roll angle and the pitch angle of the imagingapparatus, the incline computation device includes a device thatcomputes the information of the roll angle and the pitch angle of theimaging apparatus, in accordance with the detection data that isobtained with the incline detection device, and the display processingdevice includes a device that displays both the incline guide displaythat corresponds to the roll angle and the incline guide display thatcorresponds to the pitch angle upon the image display device, therebyallowing effectually avoiding the incline of the imaging apparatus inthe pitch direction when taking a photograph, allowing taking aplurality of images with the pitch angle and the roll angle beingaligned therewith, during such as a panorama photography, as an instancethereof.

The incline computation device includes a device that determines whetherthe imaging apparatus is positioned in the horizontal direction or thevertical direction, in accordance with the detection data that isobtained with the incline detection device, and computes the inclineinformation of the roll angle and the pitch angle of the imagingapparatus with respect to the horizontal direction and the verticaldirection thereof, and the display processing device includes a deviceconfigured to display the incline guide display of the roll angle andthe pitch angle in a display position differently when the imagingapparatus is positioned in the horizontal direction, from a displayposition when the imaging apparatus is positioned in the verticaldirection, in accordance with the information that is obtained with theincline computation device, thereby allowing a photographer to preciselyascertain the incline of the roll direction and the pitch direction ofthe imaging apparatus when the imaging apparatus is positioned in thevertical direction, as well as in the regular horizontal directionthereof.

The display processing device includes a device that displays theincline display guide of the roll angle and the pitch angle with adifferent color thereof, respectively, thereby allowing the photographerto ascertain the incline of the roll direction and the pitch directionof the imaging apparatus with ease.

The display processing device includes a device that displays theincline display guide of the roll angle and the pitch angle with adifferent shape thereof, respectively, thereby allowing the photographerto ascertain the incline of the roll direction and the pitch directionof the imaging apparatus precisely and with ease.

The display processing device includes a device that causes either theincline display guide of the roll angle or the incline display guide ofthe pitch angle, at a minimum, to not be displayed, in accordance with apreference of the photographer, thereby allowing the photographer toascertain the incline of either the roll direction or the pitchdirection of the imaging apparatus, whichever is required in a givencircumstance, with ease and reliability.

The incline detection device is an acceleration sensor that detects aslope of three axes that are all orthogonal to one another, therebyallowing detecting the incline angle with a high degree ofresponsiveness and precision with respect to the incline of any and alldirections and directions of the imaging apparatus.

The incline detection device includes a device that detects an inclinethat includes the roll angle and the pitch angle of the imagingapparatus, the incline computation device includes a device thatcomputes the incline information of the roll angle and the pitch angleof the imaging apparatus, in accordance with the detection data that isobtained with the incline detection device, and the display processingdevice includes a device that displays upon the image display device theincline guide display that corresponds to the roll angle, at a minimum,from among the incline guide display that respectively corresponds tothe roll angle and the pitch angle, and which changes the display stateof the incline guide display of the roll angle when the pitch anglereaches or exceeds a prescribed value thereof, in accordance with theincline information of the roll angle and the pitch angle that isobtained with the incline computation device, thereby allowing reliablyascertaining, by way of the incline guide display thereof, when therange of the pitch angle wherein it is possible to maintain theprecision of the incline detection thereof is exceeded, and makingpossible a use thereof within the range of the pitch angle wherein it ispossible to maintain the precision of the incline detection thereof,with ease.

The display processing device includes a device that changes the inclineguide display of the roll angle to a display state that includes analert when the pitch angle reaches or exceeds the prescribed value,thereby making possible a use thereof within the range of the pitchangle wherein it is possible to maintain the precision of the inclinedetection thereof, with a further ease therein, by way of the alertdisplay thereof.

The display processing device includes a device that causes a portion ofthe incline display guide of the roll angle, at a minimum, to not bedisplayed when the pitch angle reaches or exceeds the prescribed value,thereby allowing reliably ascertaining, by way of presence or absence ofthe incline guide display thereof, when the range of the pitch anglewherein it is possible to maintain the precision of the inclinedetection thereof is exceeded, and making possible a use thereof withinthe range of the pitch angle wherein it is possible to maintain theprecision of the incline detection thereof, with ease.

The display processing device includes a device that controls so as tochange the display format of the incline display guide of the roll anglewhen the pitch angle is within a range that is close to ±90 degrees,thereby allowing reliably ascertaining, by way of the incline guidedisplay thereof, when a range of the pitch angle is entered wherein itis not possible to maintain the precision of the incline detectionthereof, and making possible a use thereof within the range of the pitchangle wherein it is possible to maintain the precision of the inclinedetection thereof, reliably and with ease.

The imaging apparatus further includes a temperature detection devicethat detects a temperature in a near vicinity of the incline detectiondevice, and the display processing device includes a device that changesthe display format of the incline display guide when the temperaturethat is detected by the temperature detection device exceeds aprescribed range, thereby allowing reliably ascertaining, by way of theincline guide display thereof, when the range of the temperature isexceeded wherein it is possible to maintain the precision of the inclinedetection thereof, and making possible a use thereof within the range ofthe temperature wherein it is possible to maintain the precision of theincline detection thereof, with ease.

The display processing device includes a device that changes the inclineguide display to a display state that includes an alert when thedetected temperature exceeds the prescribed range, thereby makingpossible a use thereof within the range of the temperature wherein it ispossible to maintain the precision of the incline detection thereof,with a further ease therein, by way of the alert display thereof.

The display processing device includes a device that causes a portion ofthe incline display guide of the roll angle, at a minimum, to not bedisplayed when the detected temperature exceeds the prescribed range,thereby allowing reliably ascertaining, by way of presence or absence ofthe incline guide display thereof, when the range of the temperaturewherein it is possible to maintain the precision of the inclinedetection thereof is exceeded, and making possible a use thereof withinthe range of the temperature wherein it is possible to maintain theprecision of the incline detection thereof, with ease.

When the display format of the incline guide display is changed by thedisplay processing device, the further inclusion of a device thatchanges a control of the incline detection device allows reliablyascertaining, by way of the incline guide display thereof, when therange of the temperature is exceeded wherein it is possible to maintainthe precision of the incline detection thereof, and making possible ause thereof within the range of the temperature wherein it is possibleto maintain the precision of the incline detection thereof, reliably andwith ease.

When the display format of the incline guide display is changed by thedisplay processing device, the device that changes the control of theincline detection device reduces the sampling quantity of the inclinewith respect to the incline detection device, thus controlling so as toreduce a load of the incline processing, thereby making possible asimplification of the process that relates to the incline guide displayand a use thereof within a range wherein it is possible to efficientlymaintain the precision of the incline detection thereof.

The display processing device changes the display location of theincline guide display that is displayed upon the display screen of thedisplay device in accordance with the magnitude of the incline of theimaging apparatus that is in turn derived by way of the inclinecomputation device, thereby allowing the photographer to preciselyascertain the incline of the roll direction and the pitch direction ofthe imaging apparatus when the imaging apparatus is positioned in thevertical direction, as well as in the regular horizontal directionthereof.

The incline detection device is either an acceleration sensor comprisingtwo axes or an acceleration sensor comprising three axes, therebyallowing detecting the incline angle with a high degree ofresponsiveness and precision with respect to the incline of a wide rangeof directions and directions of the imaging apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging apparatus comprising: an inclinedetection device which detects an incline of the imaging apparatus; andan image display device which displays an incline guide display thatcorresponds to an amount of incline of the imaging apparatus detected bythe incline detection device, wherein only when an amount of pitch angleof the imaging apparatus detected by the incline detection device iswithin a threshold value, the image display device is configured todisplay an incline in accordance with an amount of roll angle of theimaging apparatus on the image display device.
 2. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the incline guide display includes ahorizontal bar and a marker which moves in accordance with a change inthe amount of roll angle of the imaging apparatus.
 3. The imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the incline guide displaydisplays both the incline guide display that corresponds to the amountof roll angle and the incline guide display that corresponds to theamount of pitch angle on the image display device.
 4. The imagingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising, based on thedetection data detected by the incline detection device, a device thatdetermines whether the imaging apparatus is positioned in a horizontaldirection or vertical direction and that displays one of a displayposition when the imaging apparatus is positioned in the horizontaldirection and a display position when the imaging apparatus ispositioned in the vertical direction, differently from the other.
 5. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display processingdevice displays respectively the incline guide display that correspondsto the amount of roll angle and the incline guide display thatcorresponds to the amount of pitch angle with a different shape.
 6. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display processingdevice displays at least one of the incline guide display in accordancewith the amount of roll angle and the incline guide display inaccordance with the amount of pitch angle.
 7. An imaging apparatuscomprising: an imaging element; an imaging processing device whichacquires an image data from the imaging element; an incline detectiondevice which detects an incline of the imaging apparatus; an imagedisplay device which displays an image based on the image data; and adisplay processing device which displays an incline guide display inaccordance with an amount of roll angle of the imaging apparatus on theimage display device; wherein when an amount of pitch angle of theimaging apparatus exceeds a threshold value, the display processingdevice changes a display format of the incline guide display.
 8. Theimaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the incline guidedisplay includes a horizontal bar and a marker which moves in accordancewith a change in the amount of roll angle of the imaging apparatus. 9.The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the change of thedisplay format of the incline guide display is configured so as not todisplay at least one portion of the incline guide display of the amountof roll angle of the imaging apparatus.
 10. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the change of the display format of theincline guide display includes turning off the marker, allowing the barto flicker, or sounding an alert sound.
 11. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the display format of the incline guidedisplay is changed when the incline of pitch is within a range close to±90 degrees.
 12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein theincline guide display displays both the incline guide display thatcorresponds to the amount of roll angle and the incline guide displaythat corresponds to the amount of pitch angle on the image displaydevice.
 13. The imaging apparatus according to 7, further comprising,based on the detection data detected by the incline detection device, adevice that determines whether the imaging apparatus is positioned in ahorizontal direction or vertical direction and that displays one of adisplay position when the imaging apparatus is positioned in thehorizontal direction and a display position when the imaging apparatusis positioned in the vertical direction, differently from the other. 14.The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the displayprocessing device displays respectively the incline guide display thatcorresponds to the amount of roll angle and the incline guide displaythat corresponds to the amount of pitch angle with a different shape.15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the displayprocessing device is configured so as not to display at least one of theincline guide display in accordance with the amount of roll angle andthe incline guide display in accordance with the amount of pitch angle.